Sharada Prasad

The mobile service providers now have the greatest possible challenge ever – competing with the tariff. So do subscribers – choosing the best tariff and the widest coverage. Now both are possible with the help of dual SIM phones.

Recently MTS launched its operations in Karnataka. The tariff is so attractive that I shifted to a new technology – CDMA. But I now carry two phones – MTS for outgoing voice calls and Idea for SMS. This combination will help me get the money I invested on the new CDMA phone (which was 1.1k) in just 3 months.

Going forward, the best option is to buy handsets with multiple SIM support options. Karbonn KC555 is one good option, if you want dual GSM/GSM or GSM/CDMA option. Plan your tariff such that you can divide your STD, local and SMS between the two different networks and get the most out of money.

Another new challenge would be posed to the service providers when TRAI allows subscribers to retain the mobile number while switching the service providers. Many people stick to a service provider even though they may not be happy with the service for one reason – change of mobile number. This scenario is going to change very soon.

Throughout my education, my focus was just on understanding problems for the sake of exams. I never pursued problems as an exercise to stimulate my mind and seek a path to find real solutions.

In last few years I have felt a pressing need to re-learn mathematics with a different perspective – look at Mathematics as set of ideas and not as set of formulae. I must admit that I am now in love with Mathematics. Same has happened with Physics too.

Here are few things you can do to understand Mathematics better.

1. Get a good understanding of history of Mathematics. The Greek and Babylonian inventions, which took several centuries to mature, are covered in high schools. But if you understand the context, you will appreciate what a breakthrough that idea was when it was invented. Several problems lingered for few hundred years before getting solved. It took almost 2000 years for calculus to answer the questions of change and motion. So what is the most effective way to quickly learn history of Mathematics? – Watch “The Story of Mathematics” by “Marcus Du Sautoy”
2. Get a good idea of the ideas. Yes. Mathematics is all about ideas. How did  they originate? A very enjoyable way of doing this is to read two books – “What is Mathematics” by Richard Courant, Herbert Robbins and Ian Stewart and Mathematics – From the birth of numbers, Jan Gullberg
3. Start solving interesting problems. You can find many places on the net to do so. One example is – http://projecteuler.net/

Try this new path. I assure you that mathematics will never be your nightmare but favourite pastime.